GOD Understands

Job 10: ² I say to God: Do not declare me guilty,
    but tell me what charges you have against me.
³ Does it please you to oppress me,
    to spurn the work of your hands,
    while you smile on the plans of the wicked?

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In this New Year I begin my journey not blaming GOD.  As I continue in my daily reading, I noticed Job felt beat down and rightfully so. I mean he tried to do everything GOD said to do and he ended up without a family or possessions and sores from the top of his scalp to the soles on his feet. He could not rest.

I have never faced what he faced, yet there have been many times I felt as if GOD were standing over me with a bat, ready to club my head in. My questions would ring out.

• GOD “Why, oh why hast thou forsaken me?”
• GOD “Do I have to drink from this cup?”
• GOD “Do YOU have to turn YOUR back on me?”

Then I realized these were the same questions JESUS asked HIS FATHER. JESUS felt lost and forlorn just like I have at times. HE was misunderstood and slandered by HIS own. Avid church goers decided to kill HIM and follow corrupt people who were in power. It’s apparent GOD wants me to think differently this year.

• GOD wants me to throw away any bitterness towards HIM and others.
• GOD wants me to spit out my poisonous words towards HIM and others.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS kingdom first and all these things will be added to me.

This year GOD wants me to reach out to people and let them know they can always put their trust in HIM.

• Are you still dragging your poison into this year?
• Can you let go of the problems you had last year and wipe the slate clean?
• Will you look to GOD daily instead of looking months down the road?

Live right while waiting.

Titus 2: ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

¹⁵ These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

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Yesterday’s sermon called out a challenge to do something different this year. The speaker used himself as an illustration of doing things the wrong way and desiring to follow GOD’s example. He gave a great plan for the year:

• Reflect on the good of 2010
• Reflect on the bad of 2010 (but not too long, just to make corrections and praise GOD)
• Spend more dedicated time with GOD.
• Cut out sin
• Step up service
• Wait on tremendous, extreme blessing from GOD

Wow! What a challenge. How can I take this challenge to heart? I believe I can execute his challenge by understanding “Grace.”

• When I am livid at those who treat me wrong… show grace.
• When I am misunderstood in my actions… show grace.
• When I am the butt of slander… show grace.

Grace is what JESUS gave to me and HE wants me to dish it out in healthy portions. HE wants me to act differently this year while I’m waiting on HIS return.

• HE wants me to be self-controlled instead of following ungodly, lustful ways… it helps me with grace.
• GOD wants me to be upright instead of mean, nasty and low down… it helps me with grace.
• HE wants me to be eager to do what is right and the right thing is to show grace.

Grace is an act of love and love conquers “all.” This year I will try adding a little grace and maybe, just maybe I will meet the challenge listed above.

• Do you have a person in your life who could use a little grace?
• Are you upset at someone who clearly did something wrong?
• Are you ready to argue and be “heard” or can you give them the gift of grace?
• Can you give grace without expecting the person to change?

Start the year off right, "follow HIM!"

Matthew 4:18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

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I love the response of the people JESUS called. They were so sure they had found the Messiah that they dropped everything to follow HIM.

I love when I see people who are zealous for the LORD. It seems like they are contagious. It seems like whatever they face they seem to "know" they will be alright. I wonder what it is about these people. Why are they so positive?

I see that JESUS gives a purpose and that answers my question. HE says "follow ME and I will make you fishers of men." JESUS knows the importance of having a purpose. A life without purpose is a life without meaning or direction.

HE gave HIS disciples a solid purpose for their life. They weren't perfect yet their message is still the one you and I preach today. I get amazed by that!

• Can you be excited about the purpose GOD has given you?
• Do you believe GOD has chosen you for a special task that only you can do?
• Can you be excited this year about following CHRIST?